This villa was absolutely what we had hoped and more!! Loved the location, close to town, close to waterfalls etc. The house was in a very private gated subdivision. I’d highly recommend. Keep in mind rental price is just for main bedroom, kitchen and all lower living, including pool. The second bedroom/villa is an additional cost, but they do not rent second villa separate, meaning if you rent the villa you will be the only ones there even if you don’t rent the second villa. Also keep in mind, there are a lot of steps to the villa from drive, it’s part of what makes it so private. It’s beautiful!! If you want a beautiful view, in the jungle with ocean view and close to town, this is your place!!

Dean has created a wonderful experience at Villa Temenos. It was a perfect honeymoon base camp or for those wanting a place to park themselves for a week, you’d be very happy. No TV which for us was perfect and a ton of great outdoor living spots. The on-demand water heaters combined with outdoor showers (one is an ensuite you can close the doors to…though the jungle provides all the privacy and zero neighbors so no need) were an extraordinarily relaxing way to wash the salt water off after enjoying any of the amazing beaches in the area though my wife and I were particularly fond of the Whale’s Tail area. The infinity pool was everything we were looking for and had the most amazing beach / jungle views. Despite two different nature tours, we nearly saw as much wildlife from the canopy of trees that the mountainside Villa hosts. This included Chestnut billed Toucans that we called in using the great outdoor speaker system that made lounging at night that much more comfortable. The small community felt extra safe with its pin accessed gates and was all a short 2 minute drive to Dominical where we enjoyed great fish tacos and had access to plenty of great grocers including Mama Toucan’s am organic, natural grocer that had it all including the best vegan ice cream (and we’ve tried them all in the States and few compare…truly!). Check out Fuego’s Brewery for the most established restaurant and Pescado Loco, the little taco stand for great fish tacos, but be wary of the limited hours. Know that you’re in the jungle and there will be geckos and lizards and bugs but keep the doors closed the bedrooms and you’ll mostly be fine. To top it all off, the housekeeper, Henry was fantastic. He was very accommodating of our very delayed arrival and had the house extra clean. Having stayed for over a week and seeing how quickly the amazing landscaping, fauna and flora can make a mess of the property, it’s clear Henry’s work is the reason why this place is so spectacular. We highly recommend and hope to bring our friends and family here in the future!

I whole-heartedly agree with all the positive reviews here. The place is even better than the pictures. Nice and secluded. AMAZING views. Wildlife all around. Henry was very helpful and quick to get back to us if we had any questions. we were there for 6 days and it was difficult to leave.

Location, view, atmosphere, experience.

Wonderful views from a beautifully designed property. Every detail and finish is thought out exquisitely from lush plantings to beautiful stone finishes to high quality bedding. Henri the caretaker was delightful and the owner’s communications were always quick and helpful. We’ll be back. Already have friends booking.

This was our first time in Costa Rica and we loved every bit. The house is incredible, and the town of Dominical is an excellent location with all the amenities you need for a relaxing vacation. The outdoor living areas of the house are really special. Being that connected to the jungle and having spectacular views of the ocean were the highlight. Even when it rained it was relaxing to just sit and watch the storms come in off the ocean and hear the rain falling in the forest. The kitchen is minimal but had most things we needed to cook full meals at home. Be aware that there are no staples provided, so we had to bring everything in, including olive oil, spices, etc. We explored the nearby waterfalls, we took surf lessons from an excellent instructor at Costa Rica Dive and Surf (bob, a retired California pro surfer) had great food at cafe mono Congo and phat noodle. Most dominical restaurants have great vegan options. And there’s a small market with tons of organic and vegan selections. The only disappointment was that a construction site directly across the street was active from 6am to 5pm daily, and while it provided entertainment when we tried of watching the surf, it was hard to escape the grinding and hammering during the day (the house being mostly outdoor living). I imagine the heavy construction will be finished within a couple of months and this won’t be an issue for future visitors. Overall an amazing home in a beautiful place with great hosts.

Peaceful. Magnificent views and sounds of the Pacific.

We have been here 3 times. There are so many beautiful places in the world, we don’t often visit the same place twice. A great blend of beauty, activities, tranquility, authenticity and privacy.

Villa Temenos ranks as one of the nicest places we have ever stayed. The sunsets are out of this world. The pool is crisp, clean and refreshing. Henry is a delight. Sylvia could not have been more helpful. If you are reading this review, stop and book this place. Thank you Dean for everything. David, Laurin, Riley and Teo

Villa Temenos ranks as one of the nicest places we have ever stayed. The sunsets are out of this world. The pool is crisp, clean and refreshing. Henry is a delight. Sylvia could not have been more helpful.If you are reading this review, stop and book this place.Thank you Dean for everything.David, Laurin, Riley and Teo

If you are looking for beautiful lush gardens filled with sweet fragrances, delicate flowers, colorful plants along with the jungle sounds of tropical birds, insects, and reptiles, then this is the place for you! In the middle of it all is the most amazing pristine pool with various levels of depth and lounge areas to while away your days in relaxation, privacy, and comfort. We used the blender to make fruit juices from locally sourced fruit and there is fine cutlery, dishes, and a wine opener for your dining pleasure because you may choose to never leave this sanctuary! The bed is luxurious and comfortable and the bathroom is beautiful and well stocked. The walk in closet has a humidifier that is quite handy in the humidity of the tropics here. Henry quietly goes about his work early every morning to keep everything perfect for you. If you are a nature lover, like us, but enjoy luxury and exceptional comfort too, like us, then you won't be torn with the choice of one or the other when you choose Villa Temenos. When you traverse the stairs into this garden of Eden you may be transformed! We were!

This was our second trip to Villa Temenos and we didn't make the mistake of staying anywhere else this time spending two weeks in this singularly spectacular sanctuary. I believe I was the very first person to review the property. Dean is a dream to work with. I love waking each morning to Henry keeping the grounds perfectly groomed. He is full of great information about the flora and fauna. I love that there is great wifi and tons of places to charge your electronics. Temenos is a magical place. It was designed with the utmost care and consideration. It's not trying to be in the South of France or Italy. It was designed to be right where it is at the very tip of the South Pacific 300 feet above the beach. You need to understand that you are in the jungle in a developing nation. This isn't a five star hotel. It's a five star home. There is a difference. Things happen in a jungle. It's constantly trying to take back the perfect grooming to the wild, but that's what makes Temenos so spectacular. I recommend this property to anyone who wants to experience complete beauty and serenity in nature. You absolutely need a four-wheel drive to get up the hill and the driveway. It's close to the cool little town of Domincal, but after dark we rarely left the property because the Bale was the place to be. This is my dream home. I recommend this property to everyone I can. It was great for the four of us. The lower palapa has its own fridge and coffee maker if your guests don't want to come up to the living room in the morning to make coffee. There's a new micro-brewery in town. Phat Noodle, the sushi bar and the fish and chips place were all new since when we were at Temenos in 2013. I've also determined that the best fried chicken in the world is in Costa Rica. I'm not sure why it's better than all other fried chicken, but if you see a fried pollo shop, get a piece. Yum! One cautionary note that doesn't deter us from returning. Shake out your clothes/shoes before packing them or putting them on wherever you stay in Costa Rica. We brought home a scorpion in our suitcase. But we had them in every home we stayed at in Costa Rica in the past four years. They aren't interested in harming you. Just don't shove your foot in a shoe they are sleeping in. I'll be back soon dear Villa Temenos. I can't live long without returning to my favorite place on earth.

Our overall rating of Villa Temenos is very good. The views from the upper BR and balcony were amazing. We also saw Toucans, white faced monkeys and several different types of lizards and iguanas around the property. The location was excellent and close to restaurants,grocery stores,beaches and the small town of Dominical. There are also a few things I wish we would have known before our visit. 1. The proximity to the main roadway...unfortunately there is traffic noise during most of the daylight hours and is very noticeable and bothersome as trucks use their exhaust brakes while descending down hill below the Villa. 2. This is a property that is almost entirely outdoor living, the kitchen and lounging areas are on the same level as the pool with a curtain that can be pulled around the kitchen area during nighttime hours. Besides this the property is very beautiful and lush with a view of the beach and ocean below that is second to none. The pool area is gorgeous and we spent many a day just lounging around the property and listening to the waves crashing on the beach. The property is also very well maintained and they have a full time care taker that cleans the pool and grounds daily... Pura Vida!

My husband and I just returned from an absolutely wonderful week spent at Villa Temenos. The property is so well thought out and the attention to detail is evident everywhere you look. It is located in a magical jungle setting with beautiful landscaping and the pool is right out of my dreams! The view and sounds of the ocean are amazing. We were visited by a toucan and were fortunate enough to see the blow of a whale right from the balcony. Oh to drink my coffee from there every morning! The owners could not have picked a better location. You have complete privacy and yet are only minutes away from the great little town of Dominical, which has really good restaurants (and a fabulous massage parlor!). We would definitely love to visit again!

This is a 5-star villa, but I feel compelled to leave a 3-star review due to the following: 1) The infinity pool is not current "infinity", due to a leak in the upper portion of the pool. The pool is ~2 feet lower than it should be, which means it is below the filter system. Also, no 8' waterfall due to this issue. This was not disclosed to us prior to our arrival. We were offered an apology, but not a reduction in rental rate. 2) 3 of the 4 pool lounging chairs had large holes in them making them unusable. The owner was able to have them replaced within a day or two of our arrival, which we appreciated. 3) The driveway security gate is no longer electronically (with key fob) functional, and must be opened and closed manually. Also, a few wood slats on the gate have been ripped off and discarded nearby. Not sure what happened, but it should be repaired. 4) Overall maintenance issues that for the price we paid should be repaired ASAP. Bed in the upper palapa is being propped up by a cinder block, mold near the drain in the shower, multiple light bulbs out, debris and garbage through out the property, uncared for potted plants, ladders and cleaning supplies stored just out of sight but not really, and a cracked stair that is a falling/tripping hazard (it pops up when you step on it). Ok, so that those are the issues with Villa Temenos. We absolutely enjoyed our stay here and would rent again if the owner was able to address the issues. My sense is there may be a management company issue, which we heard through a local realtor who was familiar with this property. Hearing the waves crashing 24/7 and being so close to Dominical and the main highway, are what sets VT apart. It is only a short (yet steep...you NEED a 4x4) drive up from the highway to VT. Be careful going up the driveway during rain. If the ground was wet, we found it easier to go past VT and turn around in the next drive, then get a bit of a running start up the driveway. VT is also unique in that most of the living space is outdoors. We spent most of our time relaxing either in the kitchen area, bale or in the pool. Chef Romulo cooked dinner for us two nights, which I highly recommend. His cooking was incredible and we enjoyed talking with him as well. Overall we loved Villa Temenos and have confidence that the owner will address the above issues.

We have rented a good number of homes in the tropics but have never experienced as spectacular a place as Villa Temenos. Perfectly appointed with every possible comfort, we kept having to pinch ourselves at how closely we were with the nature all around. We loved hearing the waves breaking, birds all around and a soft constant breeze flowing. Never saw a single mosquito but plenty of tiny lizards and an occasional grasshopper. The pool is the perfect respite to the heat and the bedroom and bath were elegant. The Wifi signal was strong too. You definitely need to make sure you have 4-wheel drive to get up the steep road/driveway. There are exactly 48 steps from the driveway to the main floor of the house, so make sure you are ok with taking stairs. My husband and I took daily walks down to the beach and enjoyed the challenging workout of walking back up the road. We enjoyed the 1-mile beach walk along the surf to the small village of Dominical. We loved the zip-lining excursion set up by the owner's agent, but would not recommend the 1/2 day whale/dolphin watching with snorkeling. Lovely local restaurants nearby and some of the nicest local people you will ever meet. This house is an outstanding find -- elegant, unique, comfortable, and unforgettable. We would definitely rent it again.

Fell in love with this place! Planning to make it an annual destination, Perfect location, house has everything for the perfect vacation. Close to BM grocery, beaches, and restaurants.

My husband and I spent over a week at Villa Temenos, and it truly is a sanctuary and provided tranquility to us both during our stay. The design is impeccable - we appreciated the attention to detail in the architecture, design, layout, comfort - right down to the face cloths. We travel throughout Costa Rica for over 10 years, and this Villa falls in our top 3. Having the sound system was fabulous (even though we travel with our own speakers, it was nice to not have to bring them out). The flow of the whole unit from the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, lounge area, pool was just perfect. Plenty of space for individual decompression (and COMFORTABLE space!! - lots of napping occurred). Henry was fabulous - grateful to have met him and shared with him some of our coffee from his homeland. We will be sure to stay in touch with Henry. In short, your description of the property was spot on....and the property exceeded our expectations. Thank you so very much to the owners of this magnificent home - we look forward to staying here again in the near future!! Pura vida :)

My husband, daughter (15) and I stayed at this fantastic villa for 10 nights. The place is impeccable. We have rented several villas in various countries over the years and this place by far is the best. The amount of attention to detail was impressive. From face cloths that were specific for makeup to the plentiful umbrellas and dehumidifier in the closet set this place apart. The landscaping and infinity pool are to die for! The caretaker Henry is a super hard worker and very friendly. The concierge Silva was very helpful in booking tours. My only note would be is that if you are easily freaked out by bugs this may not be the place for you. The main living area (kitchen and living room) is open air. So, after dark many creepy crawly bugs come out of the jungle to hang out. :) Every night was something new but added to the experience.

In a few words...descriptions below are spot on. Property is better than described. Sylvia is the best. Henry is great. Request Chef Romulo for a fantastic evening meal. Perfect place for two couples! Four wheel drive rental is a must (Avis will deliver and pick up). We had a fantastic experience! Thanks.

This villa went above and beyond our expectations. Truly amazing experience. Every little detail was thought of. We can't wait to go back. Thank you!

So many of the reviews describe the outstanding attention to quality and detail so I will just say, they are all absolutly correct. Everything, from the thick fluffy towels to the excellent binoculars, spoke of well thought out quality. What really impressed me, though, was the almost spiritual peace the space created. Even now, back in icy weather, I can close my eyes and be relaxing in the amazing pool. Henry's personality fits right in with the milieu, friendly, helpful and pays attention to so many details that enhance the experience. Our stay here is the most memorable part of our trip. Enthusiacally recommend this property.

This property is nothing short of amazing. It was so well designed and stacked neatly on this hillside. I'll start by saying that I'm a real estate agent, designer and owner of a few vacation rental properties. I know the business and see a lot of homes. This is the rare case where the photos here do not give the property full justice. Upon arrival it was truly breath-taking. Everything about it. The outdoor only living space was a so unique and lends to the year round climate. The two palapas for sleeping both have amazing views with walls of glass, comfortable beds. The "bale" is where we had cocktails, read, watched toucans fly by and got protected from the beautiful jungle rain. The attention to detail at the property is amazing: full sound everywhere for music from our personal devices, well-equipped kitchen, laundry access, yoga mats, wifi, art and artful statuary/decor abounds, even de-humidifiers in the closet to keep clothes fresh (this took the cake). It was hard to leave the property to enjoy Costa Rica it was so comfortable. Speaking of - the location of this villa is perfect in our opinion. Minutes to Dominical and to the south is Uvita. Lots of great beaches, dining opportunities, groceries very close by. Silvia acted as concierge and helped with tickets to the excursions we wanted. Henry stopped by in the mornings to tidy the place. Eduardo at Economy Car Rental was so accommodating (note to self - rent a 4-wheel drive - you'll need it for the driveway at VT). You will not be disappointed with this property, the amazing views, the constant ocean noise in the background, the privacy, the location...we're ready to go back.

It simply does not get any better than the Villa Temenos. We are still going through withdrawals. The property is stocked to the gills with everything you could ever need, from beach blankets to bug spray to extra linens, even antistatic dryer sheets. The closet dehumidifiers are the piece de resistance. Henry takes superb care of the property. Silvia can book any excursions you need, she can do pre-shopping to make your arrival even more enjoyable, and she can book massages by the pool. Massimo takes care of anything that Henry and Silvia don't do. The Brazilian Ipe wood is exquisite and adds a palatial flair, both high and low. The changing LED lights in the pool, infinity pool with waterfall ... the list goes on and on. Some recommendations: Por Que No? for breakfast, or Tortilla Flats. El Coco for the best dinner by the sea. La Parcela for best sunset on the water. Wales and Dolphins restaurant for best sunset with a view, Jolly Roger is a close second best. Osa Canopy Tour is excellent. The ATV tour all the way to San Luis Falls is a must-do. Roca Verde live music on Friday. The people in this area of Costa Rica are happy, accommodating, and so relaxed; a true joy to be with. 4WD is a must. GPS too. Thank you so much VT owners for making this paradise available to us.

We spent a fantastic week at Villa Temenos & could not have been happier. The home itself is just beautiful, and is beautifully maintained by its groundskeeper, Henry, who came by every morning to ensure the grounds/pool were in perfect order. He was also very responsive to our texts, and quickly came to our aid when we failed to figure out the washing machine. The pool and the ocean views are fabulous. This is the PERFECT home for 2 couples, as there are 2 buildings nicely separated along the hillside, to ensure complete privacy. The laundry room and kitchen proved to be the most well-stocked rooms I have ever encountered when renting a vacation home – the owners have thought of everything, including powerful dehumidifiers located in both bedroom closets – brilliant! Our clothes, towels and shoes remained 100% dry throughout the week, regardless of how humid it was outside. The little towns near the home are charming, and the restaurants serve amazing food – especially breakfast: the rice & bean dishes are delicious no matter where you go. The town roads are for the most part unpaved, so be sure to rent a 4-wheel drive vehicle, but the main highways are in remarkably good shape. We took a day trip to Manuel Antonio park, and we enjoyed the day, but that area is much more built up and crowded, so that we really appreciated returning to our quiet part of the world. The concierge for the home, Silvia, was SO helpful – she stocked the home with groceries and beer/wine, so that we could arrive and immediately relax by the pool, and she also arranged for an amazing day of zip lining, an ATV trip to a couple of beautiful waterfalls, and she arranged for a last-minute massage by our pool. We had the most amazing time in Costa Rica, and we all agree this beautiful home was the best part of the trip.

We really enjoyed this beautiful, tranquil space. Thank you so much Dean for thinking of every detail. Henry, the groundskeeper is a true gem and keeps the property immaculate. I loved the quietness and that there were many sitting areas to enjoy the property. We will be back. We loved every moment.